How to Graduate High School in B.C.

What are the required courses to graduate high school in B.C.?

To graduate high school is a major milestone in most people’s’ lives. It marks the transition from structured course curriculum to real life. Post-secondary, and career planning in high school can greatly affect your experience after graduation.

To graduate with a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma), students must earn 80 credits and write three provincial exams. The average course is a 4-credit course.

Of the 80 credits, 52 credits are required (including 8 credits of Career Education courses) and a minimum of 28 elective credits. At least 16 credits must be at the Grade 12 level, including a required English Language Arts 12 course.

In addition to these courses, students must also complete three new assessments to graduate high school:

• The new Grade 10 Graduation Numeracy Assessment was introduced in 2018
• The new Grade 10 Graduation Literacy Assessment will be introduced in 2019/20
• The New Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment will be introduced in 2020/21

To see the required and recommended courses for each grade category, reference the table below:

*denotes a mandatory graduation requirement

GRADE 8

In Grade 8, students typically enroll in English 8, Math 8, Science 8, Physical and Health Education 8, Social Studies 8, and three elective courses.

GRADE 9

In Grade 9, students typically enroll in English 9, Math 9, Science 9, Physical and Health Education 9, Social Studies 9, and three elective courses.

GRADE 10

In Grade 10, students typically enroll in English 10, Math 10, Science 10, Physical and Health Education 10, Social Studies 10, and three elective courses. It is highly recommended that students complete their Career-Life Education 10 course in this school year.

*denotes a mandatory graduation requirement

GRADE 11

In Grade 11, students typically enroll in an English 11, Math 11, Science 11, Social Studies 11, and four elective courses.

*denotes a mandatory graduation requirement

GRADE 12

In Grade 12, students typically enroll in English 12 and seven elective courses. It is highly recommended that students complete their Career-Life Connections course in this school year.

*denotes a mandatory graduation requirement

Learners who are 18 years of age or older can combine credits earned at both secondary and post-secondary schools to graduate high school. These can be used towards a B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood) or a B.C. Dogwood Diploma.

iLearn Secondary School is an approved institution by the BC Ministry of Education. We offer course options for students who are looking to get ahead, catch up, or require freedom in their course delivery options to learn effectively, or need the flexibility in courses to handle out-of-school commitments. iLearn is for students of all ages and backgrounds, contact us to learn more about how iLearn can help. Check your eligibility to get started in an iLearn class this week.

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